IF Warrnambool Gold and City Memorial Gold were racehorses, Warrnambool’s odds for today’s grand final would be 100-1 according to Joan Anderson.
Going on form in the season deciders, it’s no wonder she believes her opponent will start favourite in the Warrnambool and District Ladies Bowling Association 2009-10 final at Dennington.
City Memorial Gold has played in 14 of the last 15 grand finals, winning all bar two.
One of those premierships came last year when it defeated Warrnambool Gold 82-67.
Anderson hasn’t dwelled on the result and isn’t out for revenge.
“That was last season,” she said.
“We’re just worrying about this season. We’ve got a different team.”
Included in this season’s team is Colleen Haberfield and Helen Lock, who soaked up premiership success with City Gold in 2008-09.
Lock is unavailable today, with Faye Bolden taking her spot as skipper.
“We’re certainly undermanned but Faye’s a good replacement,” Anderson said. “(In the semi-final, City) got off to a very good start.
“Their seconds and leads played very well. If we can get a good start, we’ve got a good chance of winning.”
Anderson’s rink — which includes her granddaughter and state representative Kellie Bowles — was the only one which recorded a victory in the second semi-final.
The rink was also successful in the preliminary final against Port Fairy — a match Anderson gave Warrnambool a pass mark in.
“A win’s a win I suppose but having said that, we didn’t set the world on fire,” she said.
“City are probably a bit more settled than we are and have a bit more depth but we’ve got a team of triers.
“You can’t ask for anything more than that.”
City Memorial’s Karina Ellery watched the preliminary final.
“Port Fairy got within three shots but then Warrnambool just put their foot down,” she recalled.
“They always play well on the last few ends. We really need a great start (today).”
The side is aiming for its fourth straight flag, with Ellery — like the majority of her teammates — being involved in the hat-trick of premierships leading up to this season.
“Everyone knows grand final day is a special day,” she said.
“You do feel that added pressure. We’ve bonded well this season and we all get along, so we’ll all be pulling together to try and win.”
Ellery explained there were no harsh feelings towards Haberfield and Lock.
“They’re playing for Warrnambool and we’re still playing for City, which is fine,” she said. “We’re still good friends.”
The other grades will also play their grand finals at Dennington today.
Division two is a club showdown between City Memorial Blue and City Memorial Pink.
Underdog Pink is aiming for back-to-back premierships after it took out division three last season and was subsequently promoted.
In the division three today, Warrnambool Red clashes with Port Fairy Red.
Email a friend